7.1 Our vision for ensuring state and public security is the development of a highly resilient system of state governance. In this regard, high levels of both legal and public awareness are of pivotal significance. Our goal is to become one of the safest states in the world.
7.2 Armenia shall continue harmonizing and increasing the effectiveness of the state governing system, law enforcement agencies, special services, and state audit institutions. From this perspective, we ascribe importance to those kinds of legal-bureaucratic reforms of security institutions that are distinctive to democratic, parliamentary states, thus ensuring not only transparency, but also higher levels of parliamentary, political, and civil oversight.
7.3 In the context of ensuring state and public security, Armenia ascribes importance to improving the capacity of state and local government institutions to employ a permanent and comprehensive risk management system, as well as advancing risk management capabilities. From this perspective, we shall emphasize the development of an evidence-based, interdisciplinary, and interministerial system of identifying, evaluating, and classifying risks on a national scale, which shall contribute to increasing the efficiency of the risk management process.
7.4 Armenia shall consistently continue to reduce the risk of man-made and natural disasters to improve its systems of rapid and targeted response, ensure organized and timely elimination of consequences, increase the level of public awareness during emergencies, and improve disaster-resistant rehabilitation systems.
7.5 The continual reduction of domestic crime rates is one of our priorities. Considering the concept of a violence-free society as an important prerequisite for social solidarity, we shall seek to reject the culture of violence. We shall pay special attention to preventing the spread of the criminal subculture—the particular behavior and set of rules prescribed and recognized by criminal networks. Violence, xenophobia, and the criminal subculture have no place in our society.
7.6 Armenia shall consistently combat the disruptive intelligence activities carried out by special services of foreign states, as well as organizations and individuals harming Armenia’s national interests. We shall also combat other violent manifestations of international terrorism and extremism, domestic and transnational organized crime, illicit trade in arms and ammunition, illegal migration, human trafficking, and money laundering. We shall also expand and deepen international cooperation in the fight against various forms of criminal activity.
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7.7 In its migration policy, Armenia is committed to safeguarding the free and safe mobility of people, while simultaneously balancing the provision of national security. We shall continue to ensure border security and increase the efficiency of integrated border management, particularly through the prevention of illicit border crossings, the effective and humane
management of irregular migration, and the reduction of irregular migration of citizens of the Republic of Armenia. The state shall employ effective procedures to prevent the infiltration of infectious diseases posing a public health threat. Given the possibility of regional emergencies, we shall develop clear measures for the management of a potential mass influx of people into Armenia due to military actions or natural disasters. 7.8 Armenia shall improve its capacity for preventing the development, dissemination, and use of nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons of mass destruction.
ENSURING OPEN AND SAFE INFORMATION AND CYBER DOMAINS
7.9 The main goal of Armenia’s information security policy is to balance and protect the interests of the individual, society, and the state. We base our information and cyberspace policy on the principles of human rights and freedoms, as well as state sovereignty. Armenia is an advocate of open, interoperable, reliable, and secure information and cyberspace.
7.10 Cyberattacks against information resources by foreign states, international terrorist organizations, criminal groups, and individuals threaten Armenia’s information security. New and unique challenges are posed by private entities, including foreign state-funded cyberattacks, which target Armenia’s critical information infrastructure and its government structures.
7.11 In the modern world, information wars, including propaganda, manipulations, fake news, and other disinformation tools are becoming more prevalent, and often target democratic values. In this context, we will work to raise public awareness and media literacy to strengthen the capacity of society and the state to counter such information wars.
7.12 A major challenge is the imperfection of a comprehensive state policy regulating the information and cybersecurity sector, the absence of legislation to ensure the protection of critical information infrastructure, the insufficient level of institutional capacity of computer emergency response teams, and the absence of a national cybersecurity center.
7.13 In the fields of information, technology, and cybersecurity, we are working to increase the efficiency of institutions and processes, and develop the underlying infrastructure. Armenia is committed to developing state information, technological, and cybersecurity policies and strategies, as well as introducing comprehensive mechanisms for the management of the sector.
We will develop a legal-normative framework in order to regulate the relationship between the operators of critical information infrastructure, digital service providers, and the state. As a result, a national cybersecurity center and computer emergency response teams will be established.
7.14 Concerning technological security, Armenia pursues the elimination of vulnerabilities stemming from technologies and technological components used in critical spheres and infrastructure, the reduction of risks due to technologies of foreign origin, and the development of a national technological base, including through cooperation with technology suppliers.
7.15 To increase resiliency in the information space, we will develop national information and cyber capabilities by effectively managing risks, developing qualified professional potential, localizing international standards, and increasing the level of digital literacy.
7.16 Given the diversity of players, the absence of international borders in the information space, and the involvement of both private and public actors in various capacities, it is crucial to increase the level of cooperation between the public, private, and international sectors.
DEVELOPING A COMPETITIVE ECONOMY AND ENSURING FOOD SECURITY
7.17 To ensure Armenia’s economic security, we prioritize the continuous and technologybased development of the economy, resilience against internal and external economic threats and shocks, adaptability to the rapidly-changing environment of the global economy, national competitiveness in global markets, and mechanisms for organizing and coordinating the uninterrupted operation of the economy and the financial system.
7.18 Our economic policy shall continue to focus on maintaining macroeconomic stability, ensuring free competition driven by market forces, shrinking the shadow economy, continually improving the business environment, attracting foreign investment, promoting exports, diversifying economic sectors, and increasing their productivity and technological capacity.
7.19 The state shall continue to create favorable conditions for entrepreneurship. Every citizen of the Republic of Armenia can participation effectively in the development of the economy and creating their own prosperity. The state shall pay special attention to strengthening voluntary tax and customs compliance among society, as well as improving tax and customs administration.
7.20 The state shall take active steps towards ensuring physical and economic access to sufficient, safe, nutritious, and diversified food for all sectors of society. Our policy aims at increasing the resilience of the food security system.
7.21 Armenia shall make efforts to develop its agri-food system and increase the levels of self-sufficiency for most important foodstuffs by improving land productivity, supporting the development of the agricultural sector, and assisting local production.
7.22 Armenia shall adopt measures to diversify its import and export markets, as well as to introduce effective mechanisms for the formation and management of material reserves, replenishing these reserves with important staples, and increasing their capacity by utilizing mechanisms of public-private partnership.
7.23 The replenishment of material reserves is essential for meeting Armenia’s mobilization needs, preventing emergency situations—or in the event of their occurrence, mitigating and eliminating their repercussions—as well as for rescue and urgent disaster relief operations, implementing civil defense measures, withstanding temporary disruptions in the food supply, and providing humanitarian assistance.
DEVELOPING A SELF-SUFFICIENT AND STABLE ENERGY SYSTEM
7.24 Ensuring Armenia’s energy independence and energy security is one of our strategic priorities. We shall strive to develop a self-sufficient, export-oriented, highly reliable and technologically-advanced electricity system with modern infrastructure.
7.25 Our energy policy aims at neutralizing the threats facing the sector: dependence on imports of liquid and gaseous fuels, possible disruptions in transit infrastructure, the economic blockade imposed by Turkey and Azerbaijan, and attempts to isolate Armenia from regional projects.
7.26 Armenia shall continue to work towards diversifying its means and routes of energy supply by deepening energy cooperation with partner states and the integration of energy systems.
7.27 As a long-term goal, Armenia shall exert targeted efforts toward becoming a regional energy hub, linking the energy systems of neighboring countries and the Eurasian Economic Union’s common electricity market.
7.28 On the road to developing and diversifying the energy system, we shall utilize domestic primary (renewable) energy resources in conformity with all applicable environmental standards, aim for efficient and reasonable economic consumption, adopt alternative technologies for energy generation and accumulation, liberalize energy markets, and introduce energy-efficient and energy-saving technologies.
7.29 In the context of ensuring energy independence and energy security, we shall also commit to the development of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, specifically the construction of new nuclear energy units in Armenia.
PROMOTING SOCIAL WELL-BEING AND IMPROVING THE DEMOGRAPHIC SITUATION
7.30 Armenia has set itself the goal of attaining public well-being and solidarity through human rights-centered social policy.
7.31 We are committed to substantially reducing poverty levels and eradicating extreme poverty, as well as improving citizen welfare through structural reforms in social security programs and the establishment of an effective system to exercise social rights.
7.32 To ensure social security, Armenia shall take steps directed at reducing unemployment, providing the population with permanent and temporary employment, improving living standards via job creation, and expanding the middle class.
7.33 We are committed to ensuring equal opportunities and social and economic inclusion for various social groups, including ensuring dignified aging, equality between women and men and violence prevention, as well as the effective protection of the rights of persons with disabilities and children.
7.34 Considering demography as an essential component of progressive development and security, Armenia has set the goal of stabilizing its population size and creating the prerequisites for demographic growth.
7.35 Armenia shall take precise steps toward increasing the birth rate and encouraging repatriation by ensuring prosperous and dignified living conditions, and a state-funded social safety net.
DIRECTING INTELLECTUAL POTENTIAL TOWARDS THE HIGH-TECH AND DEFENSE SECTORS
7.36 Armenia conducts a state policy of fostering intellectual potential, which aims to increase the resilience of the country’s security system and its further development. The multifaceted inclusion of scientific potential in all critical sectors, including defense, allows the continuation of their effective modernization and development.
7.37 In this context, we ascribe importance to the role of the public scientific-educational system in Armenia’s development as a high-tech center. The restructuring of the scientificeducational system, apart from achieving other objectives, shall allow us to incentivize excellence in research of dual-use high technologies, as well as increase the country’s competitiveness, and contribute to its overall security.
7.38 It is crucial to define strategic priorities for the spheres of education and science to ensure their organic connection with the needs of the state and the private sector, as well as with global development trends. The state will support the Armenian high-tech sector and its domestic and foreign sales by arranging mutually-beneficial mechanisms to attract public, private, and foreign investments.
7.39 The development of the military-industrial complex as a key factor in the continuous expansion of the Armed Forces’ power, economic growth, and scientific and technological progress is a strategic priority for Armenia. In this sector, we shall emphasize state investments and the implementation of state contracts, encourage private investment in the military-industrial sector, diversify and increase the production volume of the military-industrial complex, and the incorporation of the latest technologies in the military-industrial sector. This will allow Armenia to reduce its dependence on imports of weapons and military equipment, and will drastically increase the competitiveness of domestically-produced military and high-tech equipment in the international market.
PROMOTING PUBLIC HEALTH AND BIOSECURITY
7.40 Armenia’s public health policy aims at preserving, strengthening, and improving individual and public health. To implement this goal, we shall continue to emphasize disease prevention, lowering rates of mortality and disability, improving the healthcare system through the introduction of the latest advances in medical science, improving the quality of the healthcare system, ensuring access to care, encouraging healthy lifestyles, and increasing awareness about public health.
7.41 In the context of ensuring public health and turning Armenia into a technologicallyadvanced industrial country, we shall encourage the domestic production and export of hightech products in the health sector.
7.42 We shall continue to develop and expand a comprehensive health insurance system aimed at offering more effective and affordable healthcare services.
7.43 In the context of ensuring public health, we shall continue to ascribe importance to the prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment of widespread non-communicable diseases, the prevention of infectious disease oubreaks and epidemics, the prevention of both new and recurring diseases, as well as the prevention of manageable infectious diseases by administering vaccinations through a national immunization program and combatting the spread of disinformation about vaccination.
7.44 Armenia shall strengthen its capacity to prevent and respond to emergencies caused by radioactive, chemical, and biological factors.
7.45 We shall pay special attention to the protection of mothers and children, continually reduce infant mortality rates, and encourage higher birth rates.
7.46 We ascribe importance to ensuring the biosecurity of the individual, society, and the state, as well as protecting the animal world and the surrounding environment from the impact of biologically hazardous elements.
7.47 Armenia will implement an integrated state policy to ensure the biological security of the population. We shall strengthen system response mechanisms and risk management techniques for biological hazards and threats, and epidemics. We will also develop the professional capacities of reference laboratories and their staff.
7.48 We shall continue international cooperation on biosecurity and bioprotection through both bilateral and multilateral formats by emphasizing the development of collaborative, equal, and appropriate partnerships and strengthening the Republic of Armenia’s self-relience in this sector.
REHABILITATING, PROTECTING, AND IMPROVING THE ENVIRONMENT
7.49 Protecting the environment and the effective management of natural resources are imperative factors for the natural livelihood and national security of Armenia. Armenia balances its policy of environmental management with social justice and economic efficiency.
7.50 Acknowledging Lake Sevan as Armenia’s strategic water resource reserve, we are committed to the rehabilitation and preservation of its ecosystem and the productive management of water resources, including the Ararat artesian well and river ecosystems, as well as the preservation of vital water basins and wetlands.
7.51 We shall take effective steps towards the sustainable management and expansion of fauna and flora, forests, and protected nature reserves, as well as reducing soil erosion and desertification. Our priorities include the reasonable use of natural resources, the remediation of damaged land, ensuring the safety of tailing ponds, preserving biodiversity, and ensuring biosecurity.
7.52 With the purpose of ensuring a safe environment, we shall improve the management of radioactive, chemical, and biological hazardous waste. We will establish a system for the safe management of chemical substances.
7.53 Armenia intends to develop and implement a policy aimed at the introduction of the green economy, develop state-of-the-art technologies and environmentally-clean production, and invest in and apply a monitoring system that is based on scientific evidence and risk assessment.
7.54 Our priorities in the sector include raising public awareness and instilling an environmental mindset, as well as ensuring the introduction of environmental education.
7.55 We ascribe importance to international cooperation in the domains of environmental protection and the use of natural resources, specifically aimed at mitigating the negative impacts of global climate change and increasing resilience and adaptability, including a reduction in land damaged by mining, preventing the loss of biodiversity and the degradation of natural areas, as well as a reduction in levels of atmospheric air pollution
